Energy Storage
How energy storage contributes to the transition to cleaner energy
Battery energy storage systems (BEES) store renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind and release it when needed. With battery costs down around 90 percent over the past decade, energy storage has become an increasingly cost-effective solution for grid support, peak demand management, renewable energy integration, and deferring transmission and distribution investments. Renewable energy-storage hybrids are also emerging as cleaner, more economical alternatives to diesel-based power generation.
How energy storage contributes to development
Battery energy storage systems ensure an affordable, and low-carbon supply of energy - even when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow. They improve grid reliability, stability, and power quality. They also help developing countries reduce the cost of electricity supply and carbon footprints by substituting diesel-dependent systems with renewable energy and storage. ESMAP connects developing countries with latest technologies, builds capacity, and supports implementation.
Energy Storage’s main challenges and solutions
In many developing countries, millions of people experience frequent blackouts or brownouts, sometimes for several hours each day. Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)—technologies that can store electricity for six hours or more—are emerging as a gamechanger, offering the promise of dependable, affordable, and clean energy around the clock.
Unlocking the Energy Transition | Guidelines for Planning Solar-Plus-Storage Projects
The Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector is bridging Southern and Eastern Africa’s power networks. It will enable countries from Cairo to Cape Town to share affordable, often renewable electricity—boosting energy security and resilience across the region.
ESMAP Program
Energy Storage Program
ESMAP’s Energy Storage Program, established in 2019, has exceeded expectations: 58 projects in 51 countries, totaling 19,200 MWh and mobilizing over $7.5 billion in capital, surpassing the $1 billion goal set at the 2018 One Planet Summit.
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Insights
To accelerate learning and collaboration, ESMAP, together with IFC and MIGA, hosted an LDES study tour in September 2025. Watch the video here.
Practitioner Voices
Thank you to the World Bank Group and the Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) for an insightful partners' meeting and stakeholder forum. Deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems is critical for meeting renewable energy targets and enabling equitable access to energy around the world.